Five checks in with 'The Nine'

Five has secured the rights to a third new US series, Warner Bros. hostage drama The Nine.

The show - airing on ABC in the US from October - focuses on nine strangers who form a "unique bond" after being held hostage for 52 hours during a botched bank robbery. 24's Kim Raver, Tim Daly (Wings) and Scott Wolf (Party of Five) are among the cast.

Vanessa Brookman, Five's head of acquisitions, described the series as "one of the most intriguing and absorbing" propositions from the LA screenings.

"The unique nature of the storytelling in this series makes this highly addictive viewing," agreed Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, president of Warner Bros. International Television.

Five has picked up the free UK TV and DTT rights to The Nine, allowing it to air the show - along with other US pickups Shark and Vanished - on upcoming digital channel Five US.